Big story: Boston gained a 2-0 lead with late surges in each of the first two games at TD Garden. They dominated overtime in Game 1 and Brad Marchand scored the winner at the 15:40 mark. They took over in the third period of Game 2 when Marchand scored at the 26-second mark and never looked back, cruising to a 5-2 win.

For the second time this postseason, the Rangers face an 0-2 hole coming back to Madison Square Garden. They were able to win four out of five against the Washington Capitals to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but no team in NHL history has ever won back-to-back playoff series in which they trailed 0-2.

Team Scope:

Rangers: Despite being down in the series, the Rangers feel confident because they're home for Games 3 and 4.

"You have to believe in yourself, in your teammates that you can do it," goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. "We've been here before, but we're not looking too far ahead. We're looking at [Tuesday], we're looking at the first period [Tuesday], and get a good start at home, build some confidence there and we'll see where it takes us."

The key for the Rangers is to establish their forecheck early. They did that in Game 2, but couldn't sustain it in the third period after Marchand's goal.

Another key is to be better in front of Lundqvist. Rangers coach John Tortorella said his team was guilty of making uncharacteristic mistakes that led to goals for Boston.

"Some of the mistakes we made [Sunday], it was surprising, and a lot of it was off the rush, but I think that can be fixed because I think that's one of the strengths of our game," Tortorella said. "That's why I'm very encouraged. I think we're going to be OK here. Like I said, you don't want to be down 2-0, we know what hole we're in, but by no means is this a really bad thing. We need to win a game and try to get momentum on our side."

Bruins: While the play of their three rookie defensemen has been solid, if not spectacular, coach Claude Julien may have a tough decision on his hands either Tuesday or at least in Game 4 because Dennis Seidenberg and Wade Redden are working their way back from injuries.

Seidenberg is the key guy because Julien would likely insert him into the lineup, possibly for rookie Dougie Hamilton, as soon as he's healthy. Redden could still be a healthy scratch.

However, Seidenberg did not take any contract in practice Monday and sat out a 4-on-4 drill that had some risk of contact.

"He practiced with us. He's getting closer," Julien said Monday. "Whether that's the next game or not, we'll see how he feels [Tuesday]."

If Julien wants to, he could use the luxury of a 2-0 lead to wait for Seidenberg to be at least closer to 100 percent. The rookies, including Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug, have gained his trust.

"The last thing you want to do is get those guys to play on their heels or play afraid to make a mistake," Julien said. "Confidence goes a long way in this game. When coaches are able to give players confidence, it shows because it makes a big difference -- instead of a guy making a mistake and looking at the bench every time, seeing if the coach is mad at him or will take away some ice time."

Who's hot: Marchand leads the Bruins with four points on two goals and two assists in two games against the Rangers. Krug has chipped in with two goals and an assist and both Bergeron and Krejci have three assists so far in the series. Krejci leads the NHL with 16 points in the playoffs. … For the Rangers, Ryan Callahan and Rick Nash each have a goal and an assist in the series.

Injury report: The Rangers have been without Marc Staal (eye), Ryane Clowe (undisclosed) and Darroll Powe (undisclosed). … The Bruins are depleted on the blue line by the injuries to Redden, Seidenberg and Andrew Ference, who is the only one not back skating.

Big question tonight ... How healthy is Lundquist? Is the shoulder more damaged that he is letting on? Each game in the playoffs is totally different and has no bearing of streaks , and whether a team is due for a win , due to losing the past two games ... I personally think the Bruins win again tonight..just too much momentum right now and the Bruins starting to gain confidence in their game overall... should be close , but Bruins will be up 3-0 after tonite....

Big question tonight ... How healthy is Lundquist? Is the shoulder more damaged that he is letting on? Each game in the playoffs is totally different and has no bearing of streaks , and whether a team is due for a win , due to losing the past two games ... I personally think the Bruins win again tonight..just too much momentum right now and the Bruins starting to gain confidence in their game overall... should be close , but Bruins will be up 3-0 after tonite....

Just read the Rangers lineup, especially since I hadn't watched them very often this year. They have Brad richards playing on their 4th line, which indicates that he is hurt, maybe, or Torts wants to pull a sneaky pairing; possible, or there will be lots of individual changes so the bruins will be confused when trying to match lines. Should be interesting and could stretch Claude's decision making.

Just read the Rangers lineup, especially since I hadn't watched them very often this year. They have Brad richards playing on their 4th line, which indicates that he is hurt, maybe, or Torts wants to pull a sneaky pairing; possible, or there will be lots of individual changes so the bruins will be confused when trying to match lines. Should be interesting and could stretch Claude's decision making.

Richards has been on the 4th line all series, and (I think?) much of the series against Washington. If he's hurt, it's been hidden. It seems to be that he simply sucks right now, and only gets in the lineup for PP time.

Big question tonight ... How healthy is Lundquist? Is the shoulder more damaged that he is letting on? Each game in the playoffs is totally different and has no bearing of streaks , and whether a team is due for a win , due to losing the past two games ... I personally think the Bruins win again tonight..just too much momentum right now and the Bruins starting to gain confidence in their game overall... should be close , but Bruins will be up 3-0 after tonite....

Richards has been on the 4th line all series, and (I think?) much of the series against Washington. If he's hurt, it's been hidden. It seems to be that he simply sucks right now, and only gets in the lineup for PP time.

Eeerily similar that the Bruins won game 1 against TML "easy", game 2 a little blah - only here they scored more on King Henry. And maybe the Bruins will come out hard HIT HTI HHITT HITT or TIH everything in site - and if the BRUINS, the REAL BRUINS, show up tonight, they can beat this sucky Rangers team. yes they suck.

Gaborik was a savior, bye bye. Richards was going to save them, hello, he's old and laughs all the way to the bank. Nash is going to save us! Maybe if someone tells him he has four other teammates on the ice.

No character and no depth on that Rangers team. You ain't winning the cup and you ain't getting by the Bruins unless they fall asleep during a game. Knock knock.

So I anticipate 3-2 Rangers in OT is everthing happens as it should. if the Bruins show up and play rough and tough 4-2 Bruins win.

And my neighbor down the street who talks nothing but Rangers stuff all year (yes every day of the year!) will finally shut up??? He doesn't like the fact I put a sign on my lawn that reads "reserved for Lundqvist's Stanley Cups".

The Bruins are not planning on making any lineup changes for Game 3. Claude Julien said he would be surprised if Dennis Seidenberg played tonight. Seidenberg was one of the last four players on the ice for today’s optional morning skate (Aaron Johnson, Jay Pandolfo, and Kaspars Daugavins were the others), indicating that he will be out of uniform for a third straight game.

Wade Redden skated this morning. But Redden remained on the ice after Torey Krug had returned to the dressing room.

* The Bruins are expecting Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi to play together on the Rangers’ top pairing. They did not play together in Games 1 and 2. Girardi was on the ice for all five Boston goals in Game 2. The two defensemen played against Alex Ovechkin’s line in the opening round.

* With Tuukka Rask staying off the ice this morning, goaltending coach Bob Essensa manned one net while Anton Khudobin patrolled the other crease"

why do i have a feeling seguin will be wearing the jacket later tonight. go get 'em B'S, outskate, outhit, and outcoach the rags. my god today has felt like week, can't wait for game time. maybe i'm just jonesin for a beer, it was warm today.